Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Sources may include:
sporting bodies
sponsors
other coaches
government bodies
support services
multimedia
information kits.
Principles of sports nutrition for training and performance may include:
the dietary guidelines for Australians
macro- and micro-nutrient intake to enhance training:
eating and drinking before and during exercise
recovery nutrition
managing physique (weight gain or loss)
hydration and fluid replacement
body image.
Support personnel may include:
accredited sports dietician
psychologist
sport administrators
other coaches
team managers
sports physician
sports trainer
sports doctor
sports scientists
parents or guardians.
Resources may include:
sporting bodies
sponsors
coaches
government bodies
support services.
Nutrition requirements may include:
daily nutrient and fluid intake to support health and training demands
nutrition presentation for competition:
carbohydrate loading
pre-event meal
hydration
food and fluid intake during the event
food and fluid intake after the event
food and fluid intake during travel
sports foods, dietary supplements and ergogenic aids.
Nutritional practices may include:
daily intake of a wide and varied diet
maintenance of an appropriate physique
nutrient intake prior to and the day of competition
food and fluid intake during the competition or event
appropriate use of sports foods and/or ergongenic aids
food and fluid intake after the competition or event.
Approaches may include:
discussions
open questions.
Strategies may include:
educational programs
eating plans
intervention strategies
development of ethical codes and policies.
Symptoms may include:
fatigue
loss of endurance
increase in occurrences of colds and infections
irritability.
Nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders may include:
vitamin/mineral deficiencies (common: iron, calcium, Vitamin D)
chronic dehydration
female athlete triad:
low energy availability
menstrual dysfunction
suboptimal bone mineral density
anorexia nervosa
bulimia nervosa.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
acquires, selects and adapts information on sports nutrition principles and practices to develop and maintain professional knowledge for own sporting area
works with support personnel to identify nutritional requirements for sport-specific peak performance and selects and communicates information appropriate to the needs of athletes
consults with athletes and support personnel to develop, implement and review strategies to enhance peak performance and to support them in a coaching setting
monitors nutritional practices of athletes and refers issues of nutritional deficiencies to appropriate support personnel
develops a rapport with athletes and encourages them to clarify information and access supporting resources.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure interaction with a range of athletes specific to the candidate’s current or intended coaching role to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a sport-specific training or competition setting
athletes and support personnel
sources of information about nutritional principles and practices for peak performance
current organisational policies and procedures that impact on implementation of nutritional practices for peak performance.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of interaction with athletes and support personnel including discussions and implementation of nutritional practices for peak performance
observation of consultation with athletes to review strategies to support them to apply nutritional practices to achieve peak performance
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the principles of nutrition for peak performance
third party reports from coaches or other support staff detailing examples of interactions and discussions with athletes and support personnel such as the implementation of strategies to support athletes with nutrition.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
relevant sport-specific coaching units of competency.